Spirit GM Dave Drinkill signs two-year contract extension
Saginaw, Mich. – Spirit President and Managing Partner Craig Goslin announced Thursday that the team has signed General Manager Dave Drinkill to a two-year contract extension, running through the end of the 2028-2029 season.
“As we enter our 25th season of Saginaw Spirit Hockey, we are grateful to those that work diligently each day to put an exceptional team on the ice,” said Goslin. “In his time here, Dave Drinkill has done just that. He has built a culture of excellence and development for our players while constructing the framework for player success in life off the ice.
On behalf of Dick Garber, it is our pleasure to extend Dave’s contract. His focus on the culture of our franchise and passionate leadership skills have earned him our trust and this extension. He has built one Memorial Cup Champion and is on his way to building another top contender this season. The future of Spirit hockey operations is in great hands with GM Dave Drinkill!”
Drinkill is in his 12th season as the team’s general manager, having joined at the beginning of the 2015-2016 season. He is both the longest-tenured and winningest general manager in team history, with 341 regular season victories in his time.
“I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to continue to lead the Saginaw Spirit organization,” said Drinkill. “I want thank Dick Garber, Craig Goslin and the rest of the Saginaw ownership group for their continued trust and support. I am excited to continue to keep building on what we have done here in Saginaw as we work towards the ultimate goal of winning in this league. I am proud to help these young men develop both as players and as people while they chase their dreams of becoming professional hockey players. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us, and am extremely proud to be part the great organization, city, and fan base here in Saginaw.”
Since arriving in Saginaw, Drinkill’s teams have won the 2019, 2020 and 2024 West Division titles. The Spirit reached the Western Conference Final in 2019 and 2024, their first appearances in team history. Under Drinkill, the team captured its first Memorial Cup on home ice in 2024.
Drinkill has also received international attention from Hockey Canada. The Elmvale, Ontario native was selected to serve as the Director of Operations for Team Canada Red at both the 2024 and 2025 U17 World Challenge. After a silver medal in his debut tournament, Drinkill’s team captured gold the following year.
The Spirit have produced 24 NHL-drafted players since Drinkill’s hiring in 2015. The 2026 NHL Draft produced the most Spirit draftees of his tenure, with Nikita Klepov (ANA), Egor Barabanov (CGY), Brody Pepoy (TOR), and Stepan Shurygin (TBL) each being selected from Saginaw’s roster.
The Ducks’ selection of Klepov at 15th overall in 2026 marked another milestone for the Spirit at the NHL Draft. In the last seven drafts, the Spirit have now produced five top-15 NHL picks: Nikita Klepov (15th overall, ANA, 2026), Michael Misa (2nd overall, SJS, 2025), Zayne Parekh (9th overall, CGY, 2024), Pavel Mintyukov (10th overall, ANA, 2022), and Cole Perfetti (10th overall, WPG, 2020). Saginaw’s five top-15 selections since 2020 are the most of any team in the CHL.
In the year leading up to the 2024 Memorial Cup, Drinkill acquired ten players via trade or free agent signing. The team would establish a new franchise record for single-season wins (50), points (102), and goals scored (303, since broken). He was named as a finalist for the Jim Gregory Award as the OHL’s General Manager of the Year that season.
Spirit players have collected fifteen individual OHL awards under Drinkill’s tenure, including four academic awards (Levi Harper, Michael Misa, Cole Perfetti, Kaden Sienko), a Ted Baker Teammate of the Year (Nic Sima, 2025), and the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy (Braden Haché, 2024).
Prior to his arrival in Saginaw, Drinkill was an assistant general manager for the Barrie Colts for four seasons. He worked his way up to the position after five years as an analyst and video coach.
